O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Cool B. Ice And Friends Lyrics
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Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth. And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The first verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" sets the scene of the tranquil town resting beneath a starry sky. The dark, quiet streets are suddenly illuminated by an eternal light that evokes the emotions of both hope and fear. The second verse shifts to the story of Christ's birth; Mary gives birth to Him in Bethlehem, and while humans are asleep, angels stand guard in awe and wonder. The third verse brings the focus back to Bethlehem, emphasizing the juxtaposition of a humble and ordinary town becoming the birthplace of the Son of God.
The song is written in a narrative style, painting a vivid picture of a significant moment in history. The first verse sets the scene of Bethlehem at night, highlighting the silence and stillness of the town. However, the peace and quietude is disrupted, with the advent of Christ's birth, and the hopes and fears of people across time are met in Bethlehem. The second verse captures the emotion of the angels watching over the Christ child, emphasizing their joyful proclamation of His birth. In the third verse, the singer calls back the scene of Bethlehem, contemplating how an unremarkable town became a site of such significance, while praising God for bringing peace to earth. The song, thus, symbolizes the importance of birthplace and the miracles of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Bethlehem is a small and quiet town that appears peaceful and calm from afar.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
While the town sleeps soundly, the stars shine quietly above it.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
Despite the darkness of the streets, there is an eternal light shining upon the town.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
The town of Bethlehem is a symbol of both hope and fear for people throughout history, and all of these emotions come together in the present moment.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
Jesus Christ has been born to Mary, and all of the angels are rejoicing above.
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
As normal people sleep, angels keep a watchful eye over the miraculous event with a sense of awe and love.
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
The brightest stars in the sky come together to announce the sacred birth of Jesus Christ.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.
The angels sing praises to God above and share a message of peace for all people on Earth.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Bethlehem remains still and peaceful as people continue to observe the miraculous event in awe.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Even in the silence, the stars continue to watch over the town and the miracle happening within.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
In the midst of the darkness of the night, there is an eternal light shining upon the holy event in Bethlehem.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
All of the hopes and fears of people throughout history are brought together in this one moment in Bethlehem, as the birth of Jesus Christ changes the world forever.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEROY ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind